SF's Francisco Reservoir a step closer to becoming park

Pedestrians walks down the steep staircase next to the reservoir Monday April 8, 2013. The reservoir on Russian Hill in San Francisco, Calif. has not been used in many decades, and now neighbors and Supervisor Mark Farrell hope to revitalize the area and turn it into a park. less

Pedestrians walks down the steep staircase next to the reservoir Monday April 8, 2013. The reservoir on Russian Hill in San Francisco, Calif. has not been used in many decades, and now neighbors and Supervisor ... more

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Some of Francisco Reservoir's bricks date back to the mid-1850s.

Some of Francisco Reservoir's bricks date back to the mid-1850s.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The park plan, although not approved, would call for the reservoir to be filled in and the land terraced in San Francisco, Calif. Neighbors are raising money to convert an old reservoir, next to the Hyde Street cable car line, into a park with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the east bay. less

The park plan, although not approved, would call for the reservoir to be filled in and the land terraced in San Francisco, Calif. Neighbors are raising money to convert an old reservoir, next to the Hyde Street ... more

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Now that the redwood cover on the reservoir has been removed, about two acres of brick remain Monday April 8, 2013. The reservoir on Russian Hill in San Francisco, Calif. has not been used in many decades, and now neighbors and Supervisor Mark Farrell hope to revitalize the area and turn it into a park. less

Now that the redwood cover on the reservoir has been removed, about two acres of brick remain Monday April 8, 2013. The reservoir on Russian Hill in San Francisco, Calif. has not been used in many decades, and ... more

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The view from a 14th floor apartment on Chestnut Street offers spectacular views of the Bay along with the covered Reservoir foreground. The SFPUC is relaunching an effort to tear down their Francisco Reservoir on Russian Hill. They'd like to sell the high-value land (panoramic views of the Golden Gate) to developers and use the cash to fund the demolition. Neighbors, though, say they deserve a park or other open space. Tuesday Jan 18, 2011. less

The view from a 14th floor apartment on Chestnut Street offers spectacular views of the Bay along with the covered Reservoir foreground. The SFPUC is relaunching an effort to tear down their Francisco Reservoir ... more

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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No trespassing signs rust away on the covered Reservoir between Larkin and Hyde streets in San Francisco. The SFPUC is relaunching an effort to tear down their Francisco Reservoir on Russian Hill. They'd like to sell the high-value land (panoramic views of the Golden Gate) to developers and use the cash to fund the demolition. Neighbors, though, say they deserve a park or other open space. Tuesday Jan 18, 2011. less

No trespassing signs rust away on the covered Reservoir between Larkin and Hyde streets in San Francisco. The SFPUC is relaunching an effort to tear down their Francisco Reservoir on Russian Hill. They'd like ... more

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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A small park is nestled below the Old Russian Hill Reservoir between Larkin and Hyde streets. Residents of the area would like to see more open space should the SFPUC tear down their Francisco Reservoir on Russian Hill. Tuesday Jan 18, 2011. less

A small park is nestled below the Old Russian Hill Reservoir between Larkin and Hyde streets. Residents of the area would like to see more open space should the SFPUC tear down their Francisco Reservoir on ... more

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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A Russian Hill visitor climbs the stairway from Bay Street to Chestnut that's ajacent to the covered Reservoir. The SFPUC is relaunching an effort to tear down their Francisco Reservoir on Russian Hill. They'd like to sell the high-value land, with panoramic views of the Golden Gate, to developers and use the cash to fund the demolition. Neighbors, though, say they deserve a park or other open space. Tuesday Jan 18, 2011. less

A Russian Hill visitor climbs the stairway from Bay Street to Chestnut that's ajacent to the covered Reservoir. The SFPUC is relaunching an effort to tear down their Francisco Reservoir on Russian Hill. They'd ... more

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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A Russian Hill jogger makes her way down a stairway from Chestnut Street to Bay Street that's ajacent to the covered Reservoir. The SFPUC is relaunching an effort to tear down their Francisco Reservoir on Russian Hill. They'd like to sell the high-value land (panoramic views of the Golden Gate) to developers and use the cash to fund the demolition. Neighbors, though, say they deserve a park or other open space. Tuesday Jan 18, 2011. less

A Russian Hill jogger makes her way down a stairway from Chestnut Street to Bay Street that's ajacent to the covered Reservoir. The SFPUC is relaunching an effort to tear down their Francisco Reservoir on ... more

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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A women walks down Hyde Street ajacent to the Francisco Reservoir.The SFPUC is re-launching an effort to tear down their Russian Hill, Reservoir that's covered with plywood left. They'd like to sell the high-value land (panoramic views of the Golden Gate) to developers and use the cash to fund the demolition. Neighbors, though, say they deserve a park or other open space. The PUC says sure, but only if you pay for it. Tuesday Jan 18, 2011. less

A women walks down Hyde Street ajacent to the Francisco Reservoir.The SFPUC is re-launching an effort to tear down their Russian Hill, Reservoir that's covered with plywood left. They'd like to sell the ... more

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

SF's Francisco Reservoir a step closer to becoming park

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The long-closed Francisco Reservoir on Russian Hill is a step closer to becoming a city park after the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission approved a land transfer Tuesday.

The SFPUC, which owns the property between Hyde and Larkin streets south of Bay Street, authorized a memorandum of understanding to transfer the property to the city's Recreation and Park Department. To cinch the deal, the Board of Supervisors and mayor will have to OK it.

Just blocks from Fisherman's Wharf and overlooking Ghirardelli Square, the reservoir land is prime real estate in one of the city's most expensive neighborhoods. The view includes the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

If the supervisors and the mayor approve the measure, the city will pay $9.9 million to the SFPUC for the land over 12 years.

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"A project of this magnitude does not come around very often," said Supervisor Mark Farrell, who represents the area surrounding the reservoir and has pushed for creation of a park at the site. "And as we continue to increase density throughout our city, part of protecting our quality of life is protecting the amount of open space."

Neighborhood associations have raised $9 million in pledges over two years toward turning the blight - the reservoir has been out of use for nearly 75 years - into beauty. They need $2 million more to meet the $11 million goal needed to fill in the reservoir and maintain the park.

Converting the reservoir land into a park would add 3 acres to an adjoining acre already under Recreation and Park jurisdiction, said Jan Blum, a member of the Russian Hill Improvement Association. She's hoping for a park with a contoured landscape and a water reuse system at the site.

Not everyone at Tuesday's meeting agreed with the transfer.

Lorraine Lucas, a Haight resident, opposed the sale as it was, citing the city's need for housing.

"Everybody wants housing in the city, but nobody wants it ... in their own neighborhood," she said. "I think there should be a hybrid there - a little bit of housing and a lot of open space."

There had also been concern that the city's purchase of the reservoir would deplete city funds for other open space acquisitions - some of them in less well-to-do districts. But Farrell said the 12-year plan would leave plenty of money for other acquisitions.

"We will have more than enough money to buy that land. I'm a firm believer that we should purchase open space throughout our city and we should take advantage of every opportunity," Farrell said.

Commissioner Anson Moran said approval for development is hard to come by, and in that light, money in the SFPUC's coffers will be good for the city's utility ratepayers.

"I would rather have $10 million today than $20 million probably never," he said.